Two years after withdrawing from downtown San Francisco, Nordstrom is dipping its toe back into the city's retail waters with the opening of a Nordstrom Local service hub in the Upper Fillmore District. As CBS News San Francisco reports, the new hub is at the bustling corner of Fillmore and Pine, which has seen a consistent influx of business and consumer activity over the past few years.
Local businesses have largely welcomed the new retail concept, which offers online order pickups, returns, alterations, and styling appointments. "It's a little odd to me that you have a Nordstrom like that, because I'm so used to seeing them in big shopping centers, but I think it's a very welcome addition to Fillmore Street," Boichik Bagels manager Kurt Niver told CBS News San Francisco in an opening that was seen by some as odd, as he is accustomed to large shopping centers.
According to The SF Standard, the decision to invest in a Nordstrom Local hub came after the high-profile closures of Nordstrom's downtown flagship and its Rack location, which contributed significantly to the downtown San Francisco Centre's downturn. The Centre's current state is stark. It is over 90% vacant and valued at $195 million, down by a billion dollars since 2016.
Despite some pushback from residents concerned about traffic and the hub's integration within a district known for smaller boutiques, Nordstrom has taken steps to mitigate these issues. Fanya Chandler, President of Nordstrom Stores, asserts a focus on locality and convenience for customers. Clare Young, a long-time neighborhood worker, sees the addition as a positive way to bring downtown elements to the area. "I think it's good because it brings a little bit of what was downtown to this area," Young told CBS News San Francisco, in a move that some residents found appealing.
Nordstrom further attempts to connect with the community by offering perks such as validated parking and showcasing work from local artists, starting with abstract painter Patricia Sonnino. However, not all community members are fully persuaded. Ditka Reiner, a resident, explained her mixed feelings to The SF Standard, stating, "I love Nordstrom, don't get me wrong. But I find it offensive that they abandoned the city and then want to put their name on a marquee street where they're going to do nothing but cause traffic jams."
